Railway signal torpedo



2 Sheets-Sheet l L. S. ROSS RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO Filed May 4, 1925Oct. 19 1926.

InvenTor p s 5 F o 55 *SYM AT Tye.

L. S. ROSS RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO Oct. 19 1926.

Filed Mfay 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6.

lnvenor Louis S. R055 f by/ewaw/QM AT Tye PATENT GPEC.

LOUIS S. ROSS, OF NEWTONVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO,

Application filed May 4,

This invention relates primarily to improvements in railway signaltorpedoes and the general object of the invention is to provide asimplified form of railway signal 5 torpedo which can be moreeconomically manufactured than those heretofore produced.

further object of the invention is to provide a ytorpedo in which thecontainer for the signaling material can be more readily applied andsecured to the rail-engaging clip A than in previous constructions.nother object of the invention is to provide a torpedo having a wirerail-engaging clip so formed that it can be secured tothe container forthe vsignaling material lby folded portions of the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a railway signal torpedocomprising to a tion a body of signaling material enclosed folded sheetof material and secured wire rail-engaging clip by lfolded pors of thesheet.

iii further object of the invention is so to construct the wirerail-engaging clip as to present a base. having sections extending insubstantial parallelism with the sides of the body of signaling materialconnected by an obliquely extending section so that the ends of foldedsheet of material containthe signaling material may be wrapped aroundthe sections adjacent the ends of the body of material and then passedbeneath tl ie obliquely extending section of the clip Yhereby lockingthe ends of the sheet against displacement.

further object of the invention is to provide a torpedo of thischaracter to which ating of waterproof material can be applied bydipping or otherwise.

further object of the invention is to provide a railway signal torpedovhaving longitudinally extensible rail-engaging clips which will iit uponrail heads of widely diffore nt sizes thereby providing a torpedoadapted for universal use and avoiding the necessity of manufacturingdifferent device s for different sizes of rails.

A further object of the invention is to provide a torpedo constructionwhich when app lied to the rail head will insure more 1925. Serial No.27,675.

accurate positioning of the body of the torpedo and which will preventdisplacement thereof.

More particularly the object of the invention is to provide a torpedohaving a resilient wire rail-engaging clip having extensible legspresenting loops extending in parallelism with and substantially incontact with the sides of the rail when applied thereto so that the bodyof the torpedo will be held in proper position upon the top of the rail.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a torpedo of thischaracter which can be more readily manipulated by the person applyingthe torpedo to the rail by reason of the fact that th-e laterally extending loops provide means which may be readilv and more effectivelygrasped by the hands of the operator when the clip is spread over therail head.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel rail-engagingclip having a centrally bent portion to which the torpedo may be readilyapplied and provided with extensible legs having means to engage therail.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings and will beparticularly pointed out iii the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l comprises perspective views of portions of railway rails ofdifferent sizes arranged in substantial alinement and to each of whichportions a torpedo embodying a preferred form of the invention isapplied;

Fig. 2 is an underneath plan view of a preferred form of railway signaltorpedo with the raileengaging clip applied thereto, the latter beingextended in developed posin tion;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the body of the torpedoand clip `on line 3-3 Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a rail head and a portion ofthe web of the dit rail showing a torpedo secured thereto by a wire clipof the type embodying the invent-i on Fig. 5 is a plan view of a sheetof mate` i al f r containing or wrapping the signali material showing indotted lines the approximate lines upon which the sheet is folded whenapplied to the body of signaling material and to the clip;

lfig. G perspective view of a modified form of clip, also illustratingthe partially foldedcontainer or wrapper for the signaling material andindicating that the. inclined end portions of the container are to bewrapped around the sinuous base of the wire clip;

Y Fig. l i a vertical sectional view through the body of the torpedo andthe sheet of material which is wrapped transversely around it;

Fig. S is a side elevation of the completed torpedo illustrated in Fig.6; and,

lfig. 9 is a detail underneath plan view of the torpedohaving the wireclip bent to present a different form of base and showing thecontaineror wrapper for the signaling material folded about parallelsections of the base and secured together by suitable adhesive material.

Y Railway signal torpedoes comprise a body of signaling materialenclosed in a container or wrapper and secured to a railengaging clipand adapted when applied to the rail to be ignited or exploded whenengaged by the wheels ofthe engine thereby giving a signal to theengineer. T he signaling material may be of various types, to.producethe explosion with a loud report, to produce a flash which isreadily discernible in the night, to produce a smoke which is readilyseen in daylight, and to produce a. pungent odor which is readilyrecognized by the engineer. Any or all of these 'signaling materials maybe employed in the railway signal torpedoes embodying the presentinventiOn.

Usual types of railway signal torpedoes comprise a. container orwrapperv for the signaling material with a resilient metal strap or wiresecured to the container or case for the material and bowed in such amanner that when expanded the legs of the clip will engage beneath therail head.

Railway signal torpedoes heretofore constructed with sheet metal clipshave usually been provided with specially formed means, such as a metalbase for securing the torpedo case or container to the clip. Railwaysignal torpedoes having wire clips have been heretofore produced inwhich the wire is pivotally connected centrally to the torpedo case andthe legs of the clip. bowed in a 'similar manner. ln all of theseconstructions special, and more or trated in Fig. (i, with theextensions 7 grasp a larger rail head with such certainty v asabsolutely to prevent displacement of the torpedo therefrom, since ifthe ends of the clips slide upon the smooth sides of the rail theresilience of the clip will cause the torpedo to be projected from therail.

The present invent-ion contemplates the production of a torpedocomprising a body of signaling material contained within a folded sheetof material and so constructed that the enclosed body of signalingmaterial can be readilyattached to the clips by folds of the materialitself. It also contemplates the production of a railway signal torpedohaving a clip provided with longitudinally extensible legs adapted tolit tightly upon rail heads of different sizes. lt also contemplates theproduction of a clip of this character in which the ends of the clip maybe interlocked when the torpedo is not in use, thereby preventingengagement of the clips of one torpedo with those of another, and alsopreventing the engagement of the clips with other objects whichmightcause the torpedo to be thrown with such force as accidentally tobe discharged.

Preferred forms of railwaysignal torpedoes illustrated in the drawingsembody some or all of the above improvements heretofore mentioned.

The torpedoes illustrated herein coinprise a preferably rectangular'body or mass l of signaling material which is enclosed directly in afolded sheet of material which may be waterproofed before being appliedto the signaling materia-l, or may be covered with a waterproof coatingthereafter. lu the construction ofthe torpedo in accordance with thepresent invention the rectangular body l of signaling material, whichdesirably is formed in a mould, is placed upon the central portion of apreferablyv rectangular sheet 2 of suitable material, such as paper. Themarginal strips 3 and of the sheet are then folded over the body ofmaterial l upon the lines 5 and 6 respectively, thus producing a sheetfolded about the signalingmaterial in the manner illusand Sentendingbevond the sides 9 and l0 of the body l. The base of the clip is thenplaced upon the partially folded container over the body of the materialand the extensions 7 and 8 are thereupon folded over the base of theclip as will hereinafter appear.

The preferred form of clip illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises a wire whichis bent at its central portion into substantially the form of the letterZ and comprisesparallel lll() sections 11 and 12 which lie in proximityto opposite edges 9 andV 10 of the mass of signaling material. rl`hesections 11 and 12 are connected by a transverse or diagonal section 18of the base. rlhe base ofthe clip thus formed is placed upon thepartially folded container as aforesaid and the extension 7 of thefolded sheet is then folded down over the section 11 of the basev of theclip and its end passed beneath the transverse or diagonal section 13 ofthe base. The extension 8 of the folded sheet is then folded over thesection 12 of the base of the clip and thrust beneath the transverse ordiagonal section 13 and above the extension 7. Thus the extensions 7 and8 are securely locked in place by the transverse or diagonal section 13of the base. By reason of the fact that the extensions 7 and 8' arefolded about the sections 11 and l12 of the base of the clip thesignaling material is rigidly secured to the base of the clip. By reasonof this construction a very economical means is provided for enclosing`the signaling material and securing it to the base of the clip.

The sheet of signaling material may be Waterproofed in any suitablemanner before being applied to the clip and if desired the folds may befurther secured by suitable Waterproof cement, or if desired the body ofsignaling material may be Wrapped in a non-Waterproof sheet andthereafter provided with a Waterproof coating 14 by dipping, orWaterproofed in any other suitable manner. The legs 15 of the clip arebent at right angles to the plane of the base at suitable pointscorresponding to the Width, preferably of the Widest rail to which theclip is to be applied, as for example, on lines 16 and 17 Fig. 2 so thatsuch portions thereof engage the top of the rail. The portions 18 and 19of the legs are made extensible by being bent into loops extending inplanes substantially parallel to the sides of the rail when the clipsare applied thereto. Such loops may each consist of a single loopextending in one direction, but preferably the legs are bent to presentsinuous loops 2O and 21 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and theextensions 22 and 23 .from such loops are bent along the lines 24 and 25transversely to provide end portions 26 and 27 adapted to engage theunder faces of the rail heads.

The Wire clips desirably are provided with hook-shaped ends 28 and 29Which are reversely bent and adapted to be interloclred when the torpedois not in use, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6.

lt will be obvious that a torpedo having a clip constructed in thismanner may be applied to a rail of any size as the smuouslyf bentportions of the legs of the clip Willbe extended as illustrated in Fig.1 when applied to rails of different sizes and Will sesurely ht uponeach rail. Furthermore by reason of the sinuous folds in the legs of theclip any substantial lateral movement of the clip is prevented as theends of the sinuous loops will engage the sides of the rail in such amanner as to prevent the body of the torpedo being placed diagonallyacross the rail. Y loops provide a convenient hold for the hands of theoperator and thus facilitate the spreading of the clip sufficiently toenable it to be placed readily upon the rail.

It Will be obvious that the central portion of the Wire may be bent intovarious different forms to provide a suitable base to which the enclosedbody of signaling material may be secured and it Will also be obviousthat other means may be provided for securing the sheet of Wrappingmaterial to the base of the clip.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 6 the base 30 of the clip isshown as of somewhat more sinuous form than that illustrated in Fig. 2and in the construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 the extensions 7and 8 of the Wrapping sheet are folded over the respective substantiallyparallel sections 31 and 82 of the base and are secured together byuf'aterproofcement or other suit-- able'adhesive. In this constructionthe legs 38 and 34 as illustrated are not provided with the loops orsinuous portions heretofore described, but are shown as havinghook-shaped ends and 36 interloclred in the manner in which they wouldordinarily be secured together When the torpedo is not in use.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 9 a clip having a base differingin form from that illustrated in Fig. 2 is shown with the extensions 7and 8 of the Wrapping material folded directly down upon the same andsecured together and to the underlying portion of the Wrapper bysuitable Waterproof cement. The extensions 7 and 8 of the Wrappingmaterial. however, may be secured beneath the transverse member in themanner described with respect to the construction shovvn in Fig. 2.

It Will be readily understood that the Wire clip may be bent intovarious other forms to provide suitable bases, or that flat metal stripsmay be so expanded as to present Wide bases for the attachment of thecontainer for the explosive material. lt ,will also be understood thatthe legs of the clip may be bent into various shapes to'provide forlongitudinal extensibility thereof Within the scope of the inventionclaimed herein. Y

lt Will also be obvious that While the present invention is designedparticularly With respect to the production of railway signalingdevices, the principles of the invention may be embodied in variousother construc- Furthermore these sinuously bent' lim lll

tions in connection with signaling` devices, fireworks, and otherapparatus to which they may be applicable.

lt will therefore be understood that the embodiments of the inventionshown and particularly described hereinare of an il lustrativevcharacter and that various changes in form, construction andarrangementfof parts may be made within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims.

laying thus ydescribed the invention, what -is claimed as new, anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent, is: l

l. A railway signal torpedo comprising a container for the signalingmaterial, and a clip, for securing the same to a rail head, connectedto, said containeighaving legs provided with portions to engagerespectively the top of the rail and beneath therail head and extensibleportions intermediate of said rail-engaging portions.

Q. A railway signal torpedo coingrisin a container for the signalingmaterial, a a clip, for securing the same to the rail head, connected tosaid container hay' legs provided with portions to eio'coe gagrespectively the top of the rail and beneath the rail head and resilientsinuous portions intermediate of said rail engaging portions.

3. A railway signal torpedo"comprising a container for the signalingmaterial, a rail-engaging clip secured thereto having resilientextensible legs provided with means to engage beneath the rail head andpresenting, when applied to the rail, loops lying in substantialparallelism with the sides of the rail head.

Il. A railway signal torpedo comprising a container for the signalingmaterial, a railengaging clip secured thereto having resilientextensible legs provided with means to engage beneath the rail head andpresenting, when applied to the rail, sinuous loops lying in substantialparallelism with the sides of the rail head.

5. A railway signal torpedo comprising a rectangular body of signaling`material, a container therefor comprising a sheet of folded material, aresilient wire rail-engagg ing clip bent to provide a base havingscctions located adjacent vto opposite ends of said rectangular body andsecured to said container by the folds thereof and legs extending fromsaid base having means to engage beneath the rail head.

G. it railway signal torpedo comprising a body of signaling material', acontainer therefor comprising a sheet of folded mate-v rial, a resilientwire rail-engaging clip bent to presenta broad base having sectionsrespectively underlying different folds of said sheet and legs extendingfrom said base having means to engage a rail head.

7. A railway signal .torpedo comprising a body of signalingy material, acontainer therefor comprising a sheet of material folded transversely,and a resilient wire rail-engaging clip bent to. present sectionslocated adjacent opposite edges of the body of signaling material andsecured thereto by folded end portionsl of said sheet.

8. A. railway signal torpedo comprising a body of signaling material, acontainer therefor comprising a .sheet of material folded transversely,al resilient wire rail-engaging clip bent to'present sections locatedadjacent opposite edges of the body of signaling material and securedthereto by folded end 'portions of'said sheet, said base having meansfor retaining the end portions of said sheet in folded position aboutsaid base sections.

9. A railway signal torpedo comprising a body of signaling material, acontainer therefor comprising a sheet of material folded transverselyabout said body, a wire rail-engaging clip bent to present a base havingparallel sides located adjacent to opposite edges of said body andconnected by trai disposed section, the folded id wrapper respectivelyoverlying the respective sides of said base and vntending beneath thetransversely disposed section of the base and the body of signalingmaterial and t amped therebetween and legs extending from said basesection having means to engage beneath the rail head.

lO. A railway signal torpedo comprising a body of signaling material, acontainer therefor comprising a sheet of material folded transverselyabouty said body, wire rail-engaging clip bent to present a base havingparallel Isides located adjacent to opposite edges of said body andconnected by -a transversely disposed section, the folded ends of saidwrapper respectively overlying the respective sides of said base and f;-tending beneath a transversely disposed section of tlie'base and thebody of signaling materialand clamped therebetween and eX- tensiblerail-engaging legs extending from -said base section having means toengage beneath the rail bead and presenting sinuous loops lying insubstantial parallelism with the sides of the rail head when appliedthereto.

l1. A railway signal torpedo con'iprising ya body/of signaling material,a container therefor comprising a sheet of material foldedtransversely,v a resilient wire railengaging clip bent to presentsections located adjacent opposite edges of thebody of signalingmaterial and secured thereto by folded end portions of said sheet and a,coating of .waterproof material covering said folded container.

l2. A spring clip for railway signal torpedoesand the like comprising aresilient wire having a` reversely bent central base section to berigidly Isecured to the torpedo llO llo

EEO

and integral longitudinally extensible legs provided with n'ieans toengage the under tace ot the rail head.

13. A spring` clip for railway signal torpedoes and the like comprisinga resilient Wire having a base section to be rigidly secured to thetorpedo and longitudinally eX- tensible legs pr vided witheoinpleinentary hooks to engage tlie under faces of the rail head andadapted to be int-erengaged when not in use.

lll. A spring,l clip for railway signal torpedoes and the likeComprising a resilient Wire having a 4section reversely bent to presenta broad base to be secured to the torpedo and having legs extending in adirection substantially normal to the. plane ot said base and providedwith rail head engaging means.

15. A spring elip for railway signal torpedoes and the like comprising aresilient Wire having a section reversely bent to present a broad baseto be 'secured to the torpedo and having extensible legs presentingsinuous loops lying in substantial parallelism With the 'sides ot therail head When applied thereto. i

16. A spring elip for railway signal ton pedoes and the like comprisinga continuous Wire having a central portion bent into substantially theform of the letter Z and bent to present sinuous loops located at adistance 'from said central portion and provided with reversely Curvedends located at a distance from said sinuous loops, Whereby the torpedomay be secured to the eentral portion and the Wire bent intermediate orthe saine and the sinuous loops to lit a rail head.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed iny naine to this specification.

LOUIS S. ROSS.

